Severe Thunderstorm Watch vs Warning: What Each Alert Means
The difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and warning, what hazards to expect, and when damaging wind or hail deserves shelter-like action.
Watch means prepare
During a watch, storms have not necessarily reached you yet. Secure loose outdoor items, charge phones, and keep radar or alerts nearby.
If you have outdoor plans, decide where you will go if a warning is issued.
Warning means act
A warning means severe wind, large hail, or other dangerous storm hazards are occurring or expected. Move indoors and away from windows.
Warnings can include language about destructive wind that should be treated very seriously, even without a tornado warning.
Tornado overlap
Some severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes quickly. Keep alerts on after the first warning because storms can cycle and new warnings can follow.
undefined